Chit-chat

[Oren]

I love writing because when you're characters start talking, you never know what will happen. It is like meeting a new person who has a story to tell you.

I started writing a story this morning about a world without death where people suddenly fall dead for no reason, then decided that it needed a psychopathic killer to start things, and ended up meeting the last human to die (who turned out to be quite colorful) before seventy odd years of no one dying. It was supposed to be a short-story, but it looks like it will be at least novella length now.

[Mel]

That is fantabulous! :D Can't wait to read it!

[Kyra]

Oh. God. That sounds amazing!!!
I personally enjoy a novel where people die. I always spend a lot of time mourning afterwards if it was a character I liked... but I think it adds a lot of depth to a novel.

[Mel]

My mom always complains that I 'make too big a deal over the deaths of people who don't exist'. I can't help it. (*sniff* Poor Dumbledore... :'( )

[Kyra]

Does your mom read???

[Mel]

Not much. And when she does, she reads the most ridiculous crap I've ever seen. The only decent thing I could get her to read was the Hunger Games series. My dad's taste is not much better, but he's got Hunger Games and The Golden Compass under his belt. XD

[Taliah]

Between them, my mum and dad have read pretty much all my books.

[Mel]

Woah. XD People suspect I got my bookworminess from my great grandmom, but it might've just been me who started the book-loving, and now my family looks at me like I'm an alien when I read the whole time at family reunions. And every other party I've ever gone to, for the most part. XD

[Kyra]

LOL, I try not to read at social gatherings because if it's formal then the adults get pissed off... but it's sooooo tempting sometimes... XD

[Mel]

XD Oh, trust me. The adults get mad alright. But the most annoying thing is when people pity me for being some kind of friendless, lonely girl with no social skills. And then they whisk me away, saying that they have a daughter who would 'just love to play with me!' And then she ends up being older than me, and thinks she's all high and mighty and doesn't have time to chat awkwardly with some 'whiny, friendless girl' when my handsome cousin is inches away, who I bet she'd just LOVE to flirt with. (To no avail, I'll have you know! XD) This whole episode happens a lot.

[Kyra]

Ditto. That's why I avoid social gatherings in general. Unless there happens to be a gathering with people I know are actually entertaining. There is an unfortunate lack of those people these days, but there's always some out there. Occasionally. XD

[Leena]

I take my Kindle everywhere, some people look at me weird at social gatherings but I just continue reading lol. Unless I'm dragged into a conversation I would rather be reading, sketching, or writing!

[Kyra]

I agree with you one hundred percent, Becca dear. XD
I don't mind social gatherings with fun people... but there seems to be a shortage of those where I live. I usually wind up with some of my older friends, talking about books (provided I'm not allowed to actually read the book for any reason).

[Leena]

Lol yeah I love finding other bookies out and about!!!

[Kyra]

LOL, that's the best part of talking to people. You find new books to read. XD

[Leena]

Exactly!!!

[Oren]

I think that avoiding social situations as a writer is setting yourself up for failure. You will never learn good dialogue. you never will hear realistic life situations. Read On Writing by Stephen King; he talks about it too.

[Leena]

I don't avoid social gatherings (I got church 3 times a week lol.) I just prefer not to be in the ones where people think you're a total freak because you're a book nerd. If that makes sense? Sometimes I get dragged to places where all people want to talk about is the latest fashion or what some celebrity is doing with someone else. If I bring up one of my nerdy topics they treat me like the plague.

[Kyra]

I ditto that!!! Of course, I have friends who are like me and I can talk to comfortably. But most of the girls at my school don't really seem to care about anything but boys and their hair, band if I try to change the topic, they ignore me. So you see why I'm not fond of huge social occasions.

[Jocelyn]

I hate parties because I have to wear fancy clothes. And wearing fancy clothes means shopping. And I detest shopping.

[Jocelyn]

Becca (Leena) wrote: "I don't avoid social gatherings (I got church 3 times a week lol.) I just prefer not to be in the ones where people think you're a total freak because you're a book nerd. If that makes sense? Somet..."

Totally makes sense.

[Jocelyn]

Kyra wrote: "I agree with you one hundred percent, Becca dear. XD
I don't mind social gatherings with fun people... but there seems to be a shortage of those where I live. I usually wind up with some of my olde..."

Cool. You and me, in the corner, Alia's Bat Mitzvah, talking about books. See you then.

Holy crackers. That thing's in 2 days. I hate fancy clothes!

[Leena]

Exactly to both Ducky and Kyra!

[Jocelyn]

Something that fascinates me is how predictable books seem to be.

Anyone agree?

[Kyra]

Most books are for the most part, but there's the occasional book where something happens that you NEVER saw coming. Partials is considerably unpredictable (hint, hint) except for... this one big secret... I guessed at the beginning of the book. Other than that, it was new. XD

[Kyra]

Ducky wrote: "Cool. You and me, in the corner, Alia's Bat Mitzvah, talking about books. See you then."

XD Excellent, Ducky. Expect a full report on The Mark Of Athena.

[Jocelyn]

Crap.

[Jocelyn]

Kyra wrote: "Most books are for the most part, but there's the occasional book where something happens that you NEVER saw coming. Partials is considerably unpredictable (hint, hint) except for... this one big s..."

For example, I decided to try reading The Ranger's Apprentice. Bad decision. I apologize, but in my opinion, John Flanagan is a terrible writer. His stories remind me of a middle-schooler's writing. (which I have quite a lot of experience with, being one myself) I decided he is a disgrace to author-kind. His stories are so darn predictable. I mean, seriously! Find your creativity, sir!

[Kyra]

Ducky wrote: "Crap."

C'mon, Ducky. You liked Percy Jackson, no? If you're not even going to read the continuation series, at least let me tell you what happens to the characters. (squeals) It's pretty dang awesome!!!

[Kyra]

Ducky wrote: "For example, I decided to try reading The Ranger's Apprentice. Bad decision. I apologize, but in my opinion, John Flanagan is a terrible writer. His stories remind me of a middle-schooler's writing. (which I have quite a lot of experience with, being one myself) I decided he is a disgrace to author-kind. His stories are so darn predictable. I mean, seriously! Find your creativity, sir!"

Agreed. My brother's friend, who is my book twin on everything (he reads Artemis Fowl, Mysterious Benedict Society, Percy Jackson... you name it!!!), insisted I try to read that series again. I told him, "Little man, I love your opinions on books, but dude, seriously? I must disagree with you on this account."

[Jocelyn]

Ask him if it's not too predictable. See what he says to that.

[Kyra]

I did. He claims it gets less predictable. Sure it does. XD

[Jocelyn]

The second book wasn't as bad as the first in predictability. It was just too unrealistic. Far too unrealistic.

[Mel]

Don't you guys love that feeling when you think of a superfantabulous idea for a story or book?

[Jocelyn]

Oh yes!!! I do!!! I had that feeling just the other day, and what do you know? Now I've got a story underway!

http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/3...

[Mel]

Oooh, Mel likes! :)))

[Jocelyn]

You'd better! No, I'm kidding. XD

[Leena]

Sorry I haven't been on lately, trying to make sure family is getting prepped properly for the hurricane. Is everyone okay? Anyone in the line of damage? I'm in Florida, we have a cold front and some rain but thats it.

[Kyra]

WHOA!!! There's a hurricane warning down there??? Gosh, I had no idea. Are you okay?

[Mel]

I have off school today and tomorrow because of it. I'm kinda creeped out, but I think the worst thing that can happen to us is a teensy bit of flooding. A teensy bit. Hopefully not any...

[Leena]

"Yeah we're okay but there's a huge storm hitting up the East Coast. We're not getting the worst of it by far. Woke up freezing lol we don't have heaters except these tiny little things that usually are good for us during the winter here. Breaking out the winter stuff from when we lived in the mountains.

[Kyra]

Oh, gosh. Best of luck to you, Mel. But, in all honesty, a hurricane warning might be somewhat exciting down here, provided it doesn't actually kill anyone.

[Kyra]

Leena wrote: ""Yeah we're okay but there's a huge storm hitting up the East Coast. We're not getting the worst of it by far. Woke up freezing lol we don't have heaters except these tiny little things that usuall..."

Ick. Sorry to hear.

[Leena]

Mel that sucks :( I'm sorry. I hope everything goes okay for you!

[Mel]

Kyra wrote: "Oh, gosh. Best of luck to you, Mel. But, in all honesty, a hurricane warning might be somewhat exciting down here, provided it doesn't actually kill anyone."

Eh. It would if my mother didn't give me all this crud to do and tell me we have to 'band together for this hurricane.' Ugh. :P But I am enjoying the rain.
And good luck, Leena! Stay warm! I'm wearing a really comfy sweater, but I'm still cold, too...

[Leena]

Lol well its true, this thing is a record breaker. My family in Maine aren't expecting to have power for a while after it hits them. They have prepped already though, water barrels, wood, gas, lanterns, nonperishables, ect.
You stay warm too!! Thank you. I love reading when its raining, all curled up on the couch.

[Mel]

Yeah. :) I love that.

[Kyra]

It's hard to beat a book and a cup of hot chocolate on a cold, rainy day...

[Mel]

Nothing beats good food and books... I begged my mom to go get waffles yesterday, but then they closed the stinking roads. :P

[Kyra]

AWW!!! So sorry, Mel. Waffles are amazing.